Join Us
The Passaic Optimist Club holds a number of events throughout the year to celebrate the achievements of young people and honor those who serve them and the wider community. The funds raised through these events go toward the scholarships we award each year that help youth attain their dreams of college and the greater opportunities higher education offers, and to supporting athletic programs and civic organizations that support youth.
We also hold events that simply bring the power of optimism into the community, such as: our Hot Dog Night, which honors the players of both the Passaic and Clifton High School football teams; our annual Essay Contest; and Youth Appreciation, Community Service and Beefsteak awards dinners.
We hold our regular monthly meetings on Thursdays at various local restaurants beginning at 7:00 p.m., September through June. First-time visitors are welcome. With optimism also comes reverie and camaraderie.

Our Signature Events

Annual Hank Opalka/Harold Ferguson Golf Outing
Hank Opalka: A longtime active member of the Passaic Optimist Club and New Jersey District, Hank was awarded a Life Membership Award in 1990 for his dedicated service to the youth of Passaic. The Club has awarded $5,000 in scholarships in memory of Hank every year since 2014.
Harold Ferguson: Harold was captain of the Passaic High School varsity football team in 1975 and was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1979. The Club has awarded more than $175,000 since creating a scholarship fund in Harold’s memory in 2005, including $10,000 in new scholarships and $9,000 in renewal scholarships during the past year.

Senior Citizens Care Package Program
The Club would appreciate your support for this project by making a monetary donation which will be used for additional care packages. Please take a moment and give whatever you can afford to show your support for our efforts. If you would like further information about this project or the Club, please send an email to passaicoptimistservice@gmail.com.

Awarding Scholarships

Youth Appreciation Dinner

Youth in Government Day

Community Service Awards
The following awards were given at last year’s ceremony which took place on May 20, 2021:
Optimist Club President’s Award: Gary Zuk
Passaic High School: Marvin Walker
EAP (Education Assoc. of Passaic): Selina Lawson
Union Baptist Church: Madonna
Fraternal Order of Free Masons: Silver Star Lodge #45
Certified Angels: Kayla Guzman
Special Olympics: Cathy Palumbo
NAACP: Kim Cottrell
Police Department: Detective Jasmine Watkins
Fire Department: Firefighter Rene Rivera
Eastern Stars: Good Samaritan 198

Annual ``Person of the Year`` Dinner/Tricky Tray Fundraiser
Meeting Schedule
Thurs., Sept. 23, 2021
Welcome Back Virtual Meeting – Zoom Conference
7:00 pm
Thurs., Oct. 21, 2021
General Meeting – Prepare for Meet-n-Greet Location: TBD
7:00 pm
Thurs., Nov. 4, 2021
New Members “Meet-n-Greet”
Shannon Rose Restaurant, Clifton, NJ
7:00 pm
Thurs., Nov. 18, 2021
General Meeting—-Location: TBD
7:00 pm
December 11-12 and 18-24, 2021
Line of Coins/Bag for Cash
ShopRite, Passaic, NJ
TBD
Thurs., Feb. 3, 2022
General Meeting—-ZOOM
7:00 pm
Friday, Feb. 4, 2022
Person of the Year Dinner–POSTPONED (see April 22)
7:00 pm
Fri., April 22, 2022
Person of the Year Dinner
Honoring Tammy Cooper
PHS English Teacher
The Brownstone
7:00 pm
Thurs., Apr. 28, 2022
Youth Appreciation Dinner
Mayor Hector Lora
Live Facebook Event
7:00 pm
Thurs., May 5, 2022
General Meeting—-Location: TBD
7:00 pm
Thurs., May 19, 2022
Community Service Awards
Garden Vista Ballroom, Passaic, NJ
7:00 pm
Wed., June 1, 2022
Foundation Trustees Scholarship Awards
Dinner Meeting
La Riviera Trattoria, Clifton, NJ
7:00 pm
June 4, 2022 (TENTATIVE)
Youth in Government Day Luncheon
Garden Vista Ballroom, Passaic, NJ
12:00 pm
Thurs., June 9, 2022
General Meeting—-Location: TBD
7:00 pm
Mon., June 27, 2022
12:00 pm
TBD
Club Picnic-TBD
TBD